Belchertown Planning Board Keeps Mishi Moon Path Subdivision Hearing Open

BELCHERTOWN — February 10, 2026 — Belchertown's Planning Board kept open its public hearing on an 18-lot Mishi Moon Path Subdivision, citing unresolved safety and drainage concerns. Engineer Keith Terry of Carter Engineering presented revised plans showing 34 street trees, fencing around three infiltration basins, and a 10-lot covenant valued at roughly $130,000 per lot to guarantee roadway construction, but board members pushed back on a traffic consultant's finding that westbound sight distance at the Meadow Pond Road and Route 9 intersection measures only 354 feet — well below the 500-to-525-foot standard required at the posted speeds. Terry argued the intersection has no documented crash history and that modifying the state highway would fall to MassDOT, but a board member demanded signage on Route 9 at minimum. The Conservation Commission, which reviewed the project the night before, conditionally approved it subject to stormwater outfalls being moved at least 25 feet from wetland flags — a plan revision Terry said has not yet been submitted to peer-review engineer Tymbone. The board also directed Terry to resubmit revised fire-apparatus turning-radius drawing C700 directly to the fire chief for approval before the next hearing.